Messi to bid goodbye to PSG fans and teammates after subdued title lift

03 June 2023 , 09:11

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Lionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer (Image: Getty Images)

Lionel Messi will bid adieu to Paris Saint-Germain in a subdued title celebration on Saturday night with reserve keeper Sergio Rico still in hospital in Spain.

The former Fulham goalkeeper remains in a “serious but stable” condition after a horse riding accident on Sunday.
The news came the day after PSG sealed their 11th Ligue 1 title and outgoing coach Christophe Galtier admitted it has been a “very difficult week”.

The Argentine superstar’s farewell match at the Parc des Princes ends a two-year loveless marriage where he has been jeered and booed by his fans. But instead of a potentially rancorous goodbye against Clermont, Messi will join the club and his team-mates in offering support to their Spanish goalkeeper.

“We went from winning the title on Saturday to a rude awakening on Sunday,” said Galtier. “We’re all affected. There will be no party on Saturday.”

Messi left Barcelona in tears in August 2021 and was given a hero’s welcome in the French capital. His two years have been a commercial success as sales of shirts in the month after his arrival were 50% more than the record first month after the arrival of Neymar in 2017. And the Qatar-owned club employed the greatest player on the planet and the winning captain at their World Cup while he claimed a seventh Ballon D’Or.

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Lionel Messi will leave PSG this summer (Getty Images)

But Messi was signed to win the Champions League and PSG went out in the first knockout round to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in his two years and he has become the target of fan anger. His unsanctioned visit to Saudi Arabia in April saw him suspended and he confirmed he will not renew his contract. And before his final match, Galtier had to say: “I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes."

Messi has yet to confirm his next destination. The only official offer is from Saudi Arabia to renew his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo while Barcelona and Inter Miami remain interested. The Argentine, who turns 36 later this month, wants to play a final tournament for Argentina at the Copa America next summer.

This summer will see more change at PSG with Jose Mourinho and Luis Enrique candidates to replace Galtier - and the club seeking to offload Neymar to leave Kylian Mbappe as the sole superstar in a younger team.

Neil McLeman